Medical Staff

David Josephs, Psy.D.

Psychologist

Dr. Josephs is a psychologist and clinical director of Lakeview Center. As such, he is responsible for the direction and oversight of all clinical staff and programs. His direct services include psychological evaluations, second opinions for Baker Act commitments, and continuing education presentations for clinical staff.

• Doctoral Education: 
  Doctor of Psychology Degree, Florida Institute of Technology
• Internship: 
  Austin State Hospital, Austin, Texas
• Professional Affiliations: 
  American Psychological Association
• Clinical Interests: 
  Forensics, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement

Annie Cherian, M.D.

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Cherian specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. She also is the medical director for Lakeview Center.

• Medical Education: 
  Madras Medical College, Madras, India, and The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, India
• Residency: 
  Creedmore Psychiatry Center, Queens, New York
• Clinical Interests: 
  Adult Psychiatry

Douglas H Fraser, M.D.

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Fraser specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He sees patients at Lakeview Center's Summit Group, a specialty practice located in Jefferson Office Park on the corner of Summit Boulevard and Spanish Trail.

• Medical Education: 
  Jefferson Medical College , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Residency: 
  University of South Florida College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Tampa, Florida
• Board Certifications: 
  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; American Board of Forensic Medicine; National Board of Medical Examiners
• Clinical Interests: 
  Adult Psychiatry

Cynthia Javellana, M.D.

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Javellana specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. She sees patients at Lakeview Center's Summit Group, a specialty practice located in Jefferson Office Park on the corner of Summit Boulevard and Spanish Trail.

• Medical Education: 
  University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
• Residency: 
  Lincoln Hospital, New York Medical College, Bronx, New York
• Professional Memberships: 
  American Psychiatric Association; Association of Philippine Physicians

Luis Lemus, M.D.

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Lemus specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He is qualified to treat both children and adults, and is a member of the Lakeview Center medical staff.

• Medical Education: 
  Universidad de El Salvador Faculty of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Residency: 
  Bergen Regional Medical Center Psychiatry Residency Program, Paramus, New Jersey
• Fellowship: 
  Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
• Board Certifications: 
  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Professional Memberships: 
  American Academy of Children and Adolescents Psychiatry
• Clinical Interests: 
  Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Guido Ludergnani, M.D.

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Ludergnani specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He sees patients at Lakeview Center's Melba B. Meyer Children's Services Center.

• Medical Education: 
  University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
• Residency: 
  St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, N.Y.; University Hospital of Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
• Fellowship: 
  University of Michigan Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Board Certifications: 
  Adult Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry
• Clinical Interests: 
  Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Scott McIntosh, M.D., FAPA

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. McIntosh specializes in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He is the director of Inpatient Services for Lakeview Center, and he is also the attending physician for Baptist Behavioral Medicine Center's Women's Unit.

• Medical Education: 
  Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee
• Residency: 
  Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Board Certification: 
  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
• Clinical Interests: 
  Schizophrenia, Bipolar and other Affective Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Chemical Dependency.
• Professional Memberships: 
  Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association; American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

Kaberi Samanta, M.D.

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Samanta is a physician specializing in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. She is a staff psychiatrist for Lakeview Center's Acute Stabilization Unit, an inpatient facility for adults experiencing severe mental health or substance abuse crises.

• Medical Education: 
  Calcutta Medical College, Calcutta, India
• Residency: 
  University of South Alabama, Mobile, Ala.
• Clinical Interests: 
  Adult Psychiatry
• Professional Memberships: 
  Escambia County Medical Society

Warren H Scott, M.D.

Psychiatrist
Medical Doctor

Dr. Scott provides addiction treatment at The Friary, an addictions treatment facility of Lakeview Center. He also provides adult psychiatry care and outpatient opioid addiction treatment at The Summit Group – a specialty practice of Lakeview Center.

• Medical Education:
  Meharry Medical College
• Residency:
  Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Additional Credentials:
  Licensed by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for Suboxone treatment
• Clinical Interests:
  Adult psychiatry, addiction medicine
• Professional Education:
  University of South Florida, Meharry Medical College,Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Professional Memberships:
  Alabama Medical Association, Lauderdale County Medical Association
• Certifications:
  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Venkata Sompalli, M.D.

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Sompalli is a physician specializing in the medical management of disorders affecting the mind, mood and behavior. He treats adults at Lakeview Center and the Baptist Hospital Behavioral Medicine Center.

• Medical Education: 
  Guntur Medical College, Guntur City, India
• Residency: 
  Mount Sinai Services at City Hospital Center, Elmhurst, N.Y.
• Fellowship: 
  Beth Israel Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical School, New York, N.Y.
• Board Certifications: 
  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Adult and General Psychiatry; Geriatric Psychiatry; Forensic Psychiatry
• Clinical Interests: 
  Adult Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, Addictions Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry

Tanya Theriault, D.O.

Psychiatrist

As a psychiatrist, Dr. Theriault specializes in treating medical disorders that can affect the mind, mood and behavior. She specializes in children and adolescents, known to many young clients as “Dr. T.” and encorporates a more complex formulation of the presenting issues. She considers not only the child and immediate concerns, but also the developmental history including intrauterine development, family systems and responses to behaviors, parental mental health, possible learning disabilities, trauma and psychosocial stressors ( i.e. divorce, family finances, unstable housing). All of these things can greatly affect a child’s functioning and are taken into consideration when developing a diagnosis. Therapy including individual, family, and behavioral is a main prescribed treatment in child psychiatry. Sometimes testing for learning disabilities and receiving additional help in school also is needed. Medications are prescribed if needed, but other treatments should and are addressed first.

Medical Education: Nova Southeastern University of Osteopathic Medicine, Ft.Lauderdale, FL

Residency: University of Texas - Southwestern, Medical Center-Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas – Adult Psychiatry

Fellowship: University of Texas – Southwestern, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, Texas – Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Clinical Interests: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, especially Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Eating Disorders, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 

Professional Membership(s): American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

Certifications: Dr.Theriault, D.O. is double board certified in both Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

William Whiting, D.O., FAPA

Psychiatrist

Dr. Whiting is board certified in general psychiatry with added qualifications in geriatric psychiatry. He specializes in the treatment of patients older than 65, or persons with memory disturbances and related dementias and will accept medically and psychiatrically complicated patients. 

Medical Education:
Des Moines University, Des Moines, Iowa

Residency:
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Norfolk, Virginia

Fellowship:
University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

Clinical Interests:
Neurocognitive Disorders, Behavioral Disturbances, Psychosomatic Medicine, Delirium, Traumatic Brain Injury, Palliative Care 

Professional Memberships:
American Psychiatric Association, Florida Psychiatric Association, American Association of Geriatric Psychiatrists, Florida Geriatric Society

Certifications:
Board certified in Psychiatry with added qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry

Christina Medrano, PA-C

Physician Assistant

As a Certified Physician Assistant, Christina Medrano is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats clients at Lakeview Center.

• Professional Education:
  Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska, Omaha
  Bachelor of Science, Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska, Omaha
• Additional Professional Training:
  Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Phase I, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas
  Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Phase II, San Diego, California
• U.S. Army Flight Surgeon Primary Course: 
  Aeromedical Physician Assistant, Fort Rucker, Alabama
• Certifications: 
  National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, National Commission on Recertification of Physician Assistants
• Professional Memberships: 
  American Academy of Physician Assistants, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, U.S. Army Society of Flight Surgeons, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association

Robert Althar, M.D.

Medical Doctor

Dr. Althar is a retired surgeon who is experienced in wound care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and pain management. Having longstanding ties with the medical communities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, Dr. Althar provides Suboxone therapy to people who are dependent on prescription pain pills and other opium-related drugs.

• Medical Education: 
  University of the Northeast School of Medicine, Tampico, Mexico
• Post-Doctoral Training: 
  Case Western Reserve, North Eastern Ohio University College of Medicine
• Residency: 
  Western Reserve Care System, Youngstown, Ohio
• Board Certifications: 
  American Board of Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Bariatric Surgery
• Clinical Interest: 
  Medical treatment of opioid dependencies
• Professional Memberships: 
  American College of Surgeons, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, Florida Physician Association, Florida Surgical Society, American Society of General Surgeons, Pensacola Surgical Society, Santa Rosa County Medical Society and American Society for Bariatric Surgery. 

Warren H Scott, M.D.

Psychiatrist
Medical Doctor

Dr. Scott provides addiction treatment at The Friary, an addictions treatment facility of Lakeview Center. He also provides adult psychiatry care and outpatient opioid addiction treatment at The Summit Group – a specialty practice of Lakeview Center.

• Medical Education:
  Meharry Medical College
• Residency:
  Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Additional Credentials:
  Licensed by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for Suboxone treatment
• Clinical Interests:
  Adult psychiatry, addiction medicine
• Professional Education:
  University of South Florida, Meharry Medical College,Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Professional Memberships:
  Alabama Medical Association, Lauderdale County Medical Association
• Certifications:
  American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Francheska Barrett, PMHNP-BC

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Francheska Barrett is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats adult clients and will work with the team at Lakeview Center Adult Outpatient Services on the main campus.

• Professional Education: Master of Science in Nursing, Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program, University of South Alabama; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Alabama-Huntsville; Associate of Arts, Phoenix College.
• Professional Memberships: American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Psychiatric Nurses Association. 
• Certification: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) from the American Nurse Credentialing Center
  

Igor Bogunovic, PMHNP-BC

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Igor Bogunovic is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment on patients. He treats clients at the Children’s Services Center and adult clients at the main Lakeview Center campus.

• Professional Education: 
  Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of West Florida Master of Science in Family Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Katrina Crane, ARNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in psychiatry, Katrina Crane is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats adult clients at Lakeview Center.

• Professional Education: 
  Master of Science in Nursing Degree, Family Nurse Practitioner Program, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Ala.
  Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, University of West Florida
  Associate Degree in Nursing, Pensacola State College, Pensacola, Fla.
• Professional Membership: 
  Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
• Awards and Honors: 
  2010 Nursing Excellence Award, Baptist Hospital

Grace Francis, PMHNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Grace Francis is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats adult clients at Lakeview Center.

• Professional Education: 
  Master of Science in Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
  Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, University of South Carolina, Bluffton S.C., 
  Associate in Arts, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
• Professional Membership: Grace is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association
• Certifications: Registered Nurse 2011, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 2016

Nancy Hart, ARNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in psychiatry, Nancy Hart is licensed to perform psychiatric evaluations, devise treatment plans, prescribe psychotropic medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She sees clients on the main Lakeview Center campus.

• Professional Education: 
  Post Master's Study - University of South Alabama, Mobile, Program: Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
• Master of Science: 
  University of South Alabama, Mobile, Program: Family Nurse Practitioner
  Nova Southeastern University, Sunrise, FL, Major: Counseling Psychology
• Bachelor of Science: 
  Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Major: Nursing/Health Care Administration
• Additional Education: 
  Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, Program: Pastoral Counseling
• Certifications: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Brad Lowery, PMHNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Brad Lowery is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribed medications, and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. He treats clients at Summit Group, a specialty practice of Lakeview Center, located in Jefferson Office Park at the corner of Summit Boulevard and Spanish Trail. 

• Professional Education: Master of Science in Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. 
• Professional Memberships: Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 
• Certification: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), American Nurses Credentialing Center
  

Renee McCorcle, FPMHNP-BC

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

Renee McCorcle is a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works in the adult outpatient setting at Lakeview Center. She also examines patients for psychiatric consultations for Baptist, Gulf Breeze and Sacred Heart hospitals.

Professional Education:
University of Missouri – Columbia, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Suboxone training, 

Certifications:
Certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Professional Membership:
American Nurses Association

Clinical Interests:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Susan Michaels, PMHNP-BC

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Susan Michaels is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She works at the Avalon Center of Lakeview seeing adult patients for follow-up care, medication management and psychiatric evaluations. Avalon Center is located in Milton, Florida and serves Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The team helps people through addictions issues using an effective regimen of assessments, individual-group-family counseling, crisis intervention and psychiatric medical services.

• Professional Education:
  Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio; Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from The University of South Alabama College of Nursing; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Master’s Certificate from The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing
• Professional Membership: 
  Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, American Nurses Association, Florida Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
• Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Kay L. Norris, PMHNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Kay Norris is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She has more than 25 years experience in providing behavioral health services to a variety of populations, both as a registered nurse and as a nurse practitioner. She treats clients on the main campus of Lakeview Center and provides telemedicine services to Century Clinic.

• Professional Education: 
  Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Southern Mississippi
  Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Mennonite College of Nursing, Bloomington, Illinois
• Certification: 
  Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Professional Membership: 
  American Nurses Association

Anna Reynolds, PMHNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Anna Reynolds is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. Anna treats clients at West Florida Community Care Center.

• Professional Education:
  Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
  Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
• Certifications: 
  Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), American Nurses Credentialing Center; Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training, Crisis Prevention Institute
• Professional Membership: 
  American Psychiatric Nurses Association

John David Sheffield, PMHNP-BC

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, John David Sheffield is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. He works in the Melba B. Meyer Children’s Services Center at the Lakeview Center campus seeing children for follow-up care, medication management and psychiatric evaluations. The center handles all outpatient services for children in one location.

• Professional Education:
  Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from University of South Alabama
• Professional Membership: 
  American Nurses Credentialing Center certification

Sarah Skinner, PMHNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Sarah Skinner is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She works in Outpatient Services at Lakeview Center prescribing mental health medications for adults. She conducts initial and follow up psychiatric evaluations, provides and manages initial and ongoing psychiatric and behavioral health treatment. Skinner also orders and reviews labs and other pertinent clinical data, and communicates with therapists, primary care physicians and other providers to establish continuity of care, and prescribe and manage psychiatric medications including controlled substances.

• Professional Education:
  Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Master of Science in Nursing from University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post Master’s Certificate from University of Cincinnati Online.
• Professional Membership: 
  Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
• Certifications:
  Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Jennifer L. Upcraft, ARNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in psychiatry, Jennifer Upcraft is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, create treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats adult clients at Lakeview Center.

• Professional Education:
  Master of Science in Nursing Degree, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.
  Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill.
• Professional Membership: 
  Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

Mary Jane Valbracht, ARNP

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, Mary Jane Valbracht is licensed to perform clinical evaluations, devise treatment plans, prescribe medications and monitor the effects of treatment in patients. She treats patients at West Florida Community Care Center, a state-owned psychiatric hospital operated by Lakeview Center.

• Professional Education:
  Master of Science in Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
  Bachelor of Science in Nursing, California State University, Carson, California
  Diploma in Nursing, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada
• Certifications: 
  Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP); Certified Occupational Health Nurse
• Professional Memberships: 
  Florida Nurses Association, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

Terry Ptacek, M.D.

Addictionologist

Dr. Terry Ptacek is Lakeview Center's medical director for substance abuse services. A certified addictionologist, Dr. Ptacek treats clients at The Friary, Summit Group and the Medication Assisted Treatment Clinic of Lakeview Center. He is board certified in family practice.

• Medical Education: 
  University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas
• Residency: 
  Charleston Naval Regional Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
• Additional Credentials: 
  Certification in Addictionology by the American Society of Addiction Medicine
• Professional Memberships: 
  American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association
• Clinical Interests: 
  Addiction disorders, medication-assisted treatment of opiate addictions
• Additional Information: 
  Dr. Ptacek is licensed to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication marketed under the brand name, Suboxone, and proven to be effective in treating addiction to prescription pain medicines and other opium-related drugs.